Ibn Battah (rahimahullah) narrates in Al Ibaanah that when Sufyaan ath-Thawaree (rahimahullah) arrived in al-Basrah he looked into the affair of ar-Rabee' Bin Sabeeh and his status among the people. (So Imaam Sufyaan) asked them,

"What is his Mathab?"

They (responded by) saying,

"What is his Mathab except but the Sunnah?"

[TR note: their response was posed in the form of a question but was meant and understood to be a statement, i.e. he is Sunnee/Salafy.]

(So Imaam Sufyaan) asked them,

Who are those people who he accompanies (and has taken as advisors and confidants)?